I have an image problem. Not sure how it originated or what I can do about it. This fact has come to light over the past few months.
I signed books at the mall today, and three of my readers came up and introduced themselves. The first words out of their mouths were I love your writing, and the second thing was, "you're a lot younger than I thought you were." I'm flattered that they like my work, but I'm not sure why they thought I was older.
Either I write like I'm much older, or the picture used by the newspaper for my column does not do me justice.
I've been writing that column for five years, and most of the words are about things that happen to Jilda and me, so it stands to reason that people would know a great deal about us. But sometimes people come up and talk to us like we're old friends and we don't know them from Adam.
When they leave, Jilda will say "Who was that?" To which I always reply, "I thought you knew them."
Apparently either both of our minds are going south, or these are complete strangers who read my column and feel like they know us.
At any rate, we had fun today and I didn't have to mace anyone. I sold a few books, and we saw a bunch of old friends, some of which we'd never met.
I signed books at the mall today, and three of my readers came up and introduced themselves. The first words out of their mouths were I love your writing, and the second thing was, "you're a lot younger than I thought you were." I'm flattered that they like my work, but I'm not sure why they thought I was older.
Either I write like I'm much older, or the picture used by the newspaper for my column does not do me justice.
When they leave, Jilda will say "Who was that?" To which I always reply, "I thought you knew them."
Apparently either both of our minds are going south, or these are complete strangers who read my column and feel like they know us.
At any rate, we had fun today and I didn't have to mace anyone. I sold a few books, and we saw a bunch of old friends, some of which we'd never met.
Reminds me of that Michael Buble song, "I just haven't met you yet." :)
ReplyDeleteI think when you're a public figure...I think writing a column for a newspaper qualifies for that....people automatically think they know all about you. I truly think I know Tom Selleck really well but he never writes or calls..hmmmmm. Oh well, atleast it's great to look young! Congrats on selling your book and enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat says much for your writing when they feel like they know you.
ReplyDeleteI guess as writers people do feel close to the author.It's normal and good I think
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a reporter, people would come up to me in the grocery store and grab my hands and want to hug me and talk to me. It was kind of weird and scary sometimes, but it was also cool that my writing moved them so much. At least people don't tell you, Oh, you're a lot older than I thought you'd be.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie